[Jake Barnes]

  I am curious with the price drop on the original X5 (can be had for $279 new), does it make more sense to get the X5 or the X3SG in terms of sound quality?  I have the original X3 but I am looking to upgrade.

I have not seen it selling for that low a price: link?

 

[PinkyPowers]

Amazon has some used for that price now. Very tempting.

 

[GregC]

  I have not seen it selling for that low a price: link?

Brand new for 279 from Parts Express.

 

[ngs428]

I have not seen it selling for that low a price: link?

http://www.parts-express.com/fiio-x5-portable-high-resolution-music-player-for-lossless-music-formats-192k-24-bit--230-142

 

[Jake Barnes]

http://www.parts-express.com/fiio-x5-portable-high-resolution-music-player-for-lossless-music-formats-192k-24-bit--230-142

Thanks

 

[dbdynsty25]

http://www.parts-express.com/fiio-x5-portable-high-resolution-music-player-for-lossless-music-formats-192k-24-bit--230-142

 
I think I'd still go with the X3II just because of the size.  The sound is close enough that form factor is a big key.

 

[imackler]

I was tempted to get it from Parts Express but there are better deals out there. The 15% off coupon headfi15 at Headphone.com brings it to $254. Even better... 
 
Still for me, I'm choosing between the X3ii and the X5ii. If X3ii had dual microsd slots, I'd never look back.

 

[bruce1967]

Great price on an open box X3ii also.
 
http://www.parts-express.com/restocked-fiio-x3-2nd-gen-portable-high-resolution-music-player--88-230-141

 

[bruce1967]

  Great price on an open box X3ii also.
 
http://www.parts-express.com/restocked-fiio-x3-2nd-gen-portable-high-resolution-music-player--88-230-141

Never mind...it says it's no longer available..

 

[jamor]

the X5 2nd gen is about to be released so the x5 is already outdated why not get the x3 2nd gen or x5 2nd gen? 

 

[imackler]

  the X5 2nd gen is about to be released so the x5 is already outdated why not get the x3 2nd gen or x5 2nd gen? 

 
Its true that the X5 2nd gen is available now, though limited. But the reviews have the 1st and 2nd gen being very close in sound quality. The difference in $80-100 may be worth it for someone even if the 1st gen is "already outdated"... though not really outdated if your desire is to listen to music. 

 

[SallymaeHogsby]

It formats as standard FAT32, so it should have zero conflicts going from X1 to X3 to X5 and so on. FiiO doesn't install firmware on the SD.

I even format the microSD for my Pono in one of my FiiO DAPs, to make sure I can swap between players without worrying about it.

 

[originalsnuffy]

   
Still for me, I'm choosing between the X3ii and the X5ii. If X3ii had dual microsd slots, I'd never look back.

 
Keep in mind that the X3II has a reasonably stable OTG capability.  So you can purchase a fairly cheap OTG USB adaptor ($4 at Micro Center) and a USB stick formatted in FAT32 (like the PNY 256GB that I also purchased at Micro Center for $90).  Add that to the 128gb already most likely in your device and you have 128 GB  plus 256 GB on tap for less than the cost of the X5 family.  Just an option if you do not need some of the incremental features of the X5.
 
At this moment in time, I do not think the OTG capability in the X5 Gen II is ready for prime time, but hopefully that will change.

 

[H20Fidelity]

Something quite funny occurred earlier this evening.

Being late at night with just a bedside lamp on I picked up Fidue A83 IEM then reached over to a draw. Inside this draw lies an iBasso DX50, FiiO X1 and FiiO X3II. I picked up X3II, plugged in my Fidue A83 happily listening away for about an hour thinking how good it sounds etc.

Only a little later I reached for X1 to use with GR07 MK2 but..when I turned X1 on guess which FiiO logo I saw? The entire time I was listening to 'X3II' with A83 it was actually X1. And I tell you now I would never have known personally in this instance. Let this be a little lesson on how powerful the mind can be and effects of placebo.

 

[Richsvt]

Funny you say that. I did the exact thing some time ago. A little embarrassed that I couldn't tell too much of a difference. Goes to show how perceptions curve your opinions.